ANNIVERSARY SPORTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1489, 23 November 1878, Page 3

ANNIVERSARY SPORTS.

An adjourned meeting of the Sport 3 Committee -wiis hold in the City Council Chambers at 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Present— Messrs, John Ollivier (in the chair), Pratt, Alport, Walkden, Hebdon, and Andrews. Mr Alport reported that since the last meeting he had visited the new ground which he found in admirable condition, and as a whole ho thought the public would be greatly pleased with the change of locale. Mr Walkden said he had two men at work finishing off the course with ashes, &c. Men were sinking above the terrace tor water, which was expected to ue obtained by the following day. lie should propose to keep the men on the course two or three days longer.

Ho thought it should then be rolled and watered, and it would bo in good order for practice. The action taken by Mr Walkdcn was approved of, and authority was given to him to errry out the work as proposed. Mr Alport suggested that there should he a booth on the ground to soil wines, boors, lemonade, ginger beer, &c., and that there should also be a ladies’ tent containing lavatory, &c. He also suggested the erection of a grand stand. The Chairman said ho had written to Mr Harman, the chairman of ths Domain Board, asking for permission to erect one publican’s booth, and as many more refreshment booths for the sale of confectionery, &c., as the committee required. He had received no reply, but he had seen Mr Harman, who had told him ho had no doubt the Board would grant the committee the same privileges as they did to the cricketers. Mr Ollivior did not see why spirits should be forbidden—if they got the privilege they must use it, and take care that it was not abused. When the sports were in Latimer square, with Collins’ hotel close by, there had been no cases of drunkenness there.

Mr Hebden thought they would bo committing a serious mistake if they forbade the sale of spirits. They all know that in hot weather a very popular drink was brandy and soda and whiskey and soda. Some discussion took place as to the advisability of having several places where refreshments could be obtained. It was resolved to allow the matter to stand over until the answer of the Domain Board had been received.

Mr Hebden thought it would bo advisable to wait upon the chairman of the Domain Board, as it might be some time before an answer could be obtained.

The sub-committee was empowered to see Mr Harman on the subject. A letter was read from Mr Wynn Williams, enclosing a cheque for £5, which the donor wished to be expended in children’s sports only. With regard to his general subscription to the sports he would see the secretary on the subject. The Chairman said the sum of a guinea had been given to him by a gentleman for a boys’ rice under ten years of age. Mr Pratt narrated to the committee what had passed between the deputation and the City Council on the subject of a donation from that body and the bridge. He would move that the thanks of the committee be given to the City Council for their liberality in granting £25 towards their sports. Seconded by Mr Hebden, and carried. Mr Walkdcn drew attention to the fact that the various people who leased ground for booths generally occupied two or three times the amount of ground they paid for, as their ropes extended for a considerable distance round the tents.

The Chairman reported that his list amounted to £6l 2s 6d, of which sum he had received £32 16s. The balance remained to be collected. Mr E, O. J. Stevens had repeated his gift of £5 as given last year, and Mr Richardson had done the same. Mr Gould had also given his usual three guineas. Ho had much pleasure in stating that the public generally appreciated the change in the place of holding the sports, Mr Hebden said that Mr Bligh had given a guinea for a special race. He had also given £1 towards iho improvement of the ground Mr Pratt hoped there would be no occasion to carry out the suggestion of Mr Andrews, of having donation boxes at the bridge. He trusted this would not be done, and that the races would be free in every respect. Mr Ollivior did not bold with the view of Mr Prat t. There would be a considerable expense gone to to keep the ground in order. Besides a new bridge would have to be built there to which they might contribute. There was no compulsion in the matter, and people could put into the box or not as they liked. Mr Hebden said persons passing the bridge would feel that they were being coerced when the bugs were shaken under their noses. Mr Pratt would sooner see such a system of collection than private subscription, but not both. After some discussion it was resolved that an advertisement should be inserted in the papers informing the public that such contributions would be perfectly voluntary. Mr Andrews said it was the wish of some of the committee that a separate portion of the ground altogether should be sot apart for the children.

Mr Alport would very much like to see a Punch and Judy for the amusement of the children.

Mr Hebden thought they might increase the value of the prizes. Mr Andrews was of opinion that they might also extend the programme. After some further detail business, the meeting adjourned until next Friday at the same time and place.